Small world: Browns DL Frostee Rucker is a former Bengal. ... Bengals who played at Ohio State include CB Nate Clements and PK Mike Nugent. Clements is a Shaker Heights native. (RB Daniel Herron is on the practice squad.) ... Former Browns on the Bengals’ roster are C Jeff Faine, QB Bruce Gradkowski, RB Cedric Peerman and S Chris Crocker. 

— Dennis Manoloff

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Bengals reached the quarter pole of their season in fine shape.

After being thumped at Baltimore in the opener, the Bengals did what they did so well last season: Feast on the lesser lights. They defeated the Browns at home and Washington and Jacksonville on the road. The Browns, Redskins and Jaguars have losing records and are a combined 3-12.

The Bengals had plenty of reasons to feel like they could make it four straight victories last Sunday. They were facing the 1-3 Miami Dolphins, who started rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Even though two of Miami's losses had come in overtime, the victory had been over a bad team (Oakland).

But just when it appeared the Bengals would rank among the NFL's top records, they stumbled. Miami led by 11 after three quarters and held on for a 17-13 victory. Instead of joining seven teams at 4-1 or better, Cincinnati is one of 16 at or within one game of .500. Cincinnati is second in the AFC North, one game behind Baltimore.

Regardless of record, the numbers suggest the Bengals are middle of the pack. They rank 15th in offense, 18th in defense and own a point differential of minus-4. In essence, the Bengals are a team with a winning record that opponents -- no matter how bad -- are reasonably confident against. Ask any team which they would rather face: Bengals, Patriots or Giants, each of which is 3-2.

Opponents did not necessarily fear the Bengals last year, either. The Bengals went 9-7 and made the playoffs, but defeated one team with a winning record (Tennessee, 9-7).

When the Bengals take the field Sunday in Cleveland, their I-71 rival will think this can finally be their week, even though the Bengals have won 18 of 27 meetings since the Browns returned in 1999. Cincinnati has won four straight and seven of eight.

The Browns will have hope not just because Cincinnati's .600 winning percentage might be a mirage, but also because the majority of recent meetings in recent years have been competitive deep into the fourth quarter. Week 2 at Cincinnati was no exception, the Bengals winning, 34-27.

Understandably, the Bengals view the Cleveland game as one more opportunity to get fat before the schedule gets dicey. Cincinnati's next three games after Sunday are at home against Pittsburgh, Denver and the Giants.

Offensive overview

Second-year quarterback Andy Dalton, at the controls of coordinator Jay Gruden's precision-matchup scheme, is 111-of-169 for 1,345 yards and nine touchdowns. He has thrown six interceptions, including an overthrow with less than two minutes left against Miami that landed in the hands of Reshad Jones at midfield. Second-year receiver A.J. Green has caught 36 passes for 493 yards and four touchdowns. He has been targeted 56 times.

Veteran running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis, who replaced Browns nemesis Cedric Benson as feature back, has rushed for 300 yards and two touchdowns. But "The Law Firm" is averaging just 3.3 yards per carry and has fumbled three times, losing two.

Last month, Dalton picked apart a secondary without cornerback Joe Haden, who was serving the first of his four-game NFL suspension. Dalton went 24-of-31 for 318 yards and three touchdowns. He was intercepted once and posted a 128.2 rating. Cincinnati's O-line was vulnerable, giving up six sacks. Green hurt the Browns, catching seven passes for 58 yards and one touchdown, but teammates Brandon Tate and Armon Binns combined for eight receptions and 137 yards. Tate and Andrew Hawkins caught TD passes. Green-Ellis rushed for 75 yards on 21 carries.

Defensive overview

Trent Richardson found plenty of room against the Cincinnati defense in the Browns' Week 2 matchup at Paul Brown Stadium.Joshua Gunter, The Plain Dealer

Coordinator Mike Zimmer's hybrid 4-3 has allowed 348.2 yards per game. Cincinnati has given up 25.8 points. The defense has been solid the past two weeks, giving up 3.7 yards per play in a 27-10 victory at Jacksonville and 4.4 yards in the loss to Miami. Cornerback Leon Hall, leader of Cincinnati's man-coverage style, has been involved in numerous big plays against Cleveland since debuting in 2007. Regardless, the Browns have not been afraid to throw at him. Safety Chris Crocker owns Cincinnati's only interception. The Bengals have not finished worse than 15th in yards allowed in Zimmer's first four years as Bengals coordinator.

Against the Browns, Cincinnati gave up 439 yards and 7.1 yards per play. Quarterback Brandon Weeden went 26-of-37 for 322 yards and two touchdowns. His 114.9 rating is by far his best this season. Weeden got the ball out quickly and decisively and took advantage of suspect linebackers/backs. The Bengals had few answers for Weeden or running back Trent Richardson, who rushed for 109 yards on 19 carries and caught four passes for 36 yards. Richardson had rushing and receiving touchdowns.

Special teams overview

Former Ohio State Buckeye PK Mike Nugent is 9-of-10 on field goals. The miss hurt: He was wide right from 41 in the fourth quarter against Miami. Nugent made 33 of 38 field goals last year; his long was just 49 yards. P Kyle Huber is averaging 43.0 yards on 20 punts. His net is 41.0. Tate has returned most of the kicks (23.0 average on 10) and split punt-return duties with Adam Jones. Against the Browns, Jones returned Reggie Hodges' punt 81 yards to give the Bengals a 7-0 lead in the first quarter.

Players to watch

Quarterback Andy Dalton: He ranks 12th with a 92.9 rating and is fourth with 7.96 yards per attempt. In his previous two games against the Browns, he is a combined 45-of-62 for 588 yards, four touchdowns and one pick. He is not a threat to run, but he can maneuver in the pocket and is accurate throwing on rollouts.

Receiver A.J. Green: He caught 65 passes for 1,057 yards and seven TDs as a rookie, including four for 151 yards and one TD in two games against Cleveland. He is fast and can jump with any receiver in the league.

Defensive tackle Geno Atkins: The 6-1, 300-pounder is a force in the middle. He had 7.5 sacks in 16 games last year, his second as a pro. He owns six sacks in five games this season.

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